I have been thinking about a transmission upgrade and I kind of like what I have read about ATS. For those of you that have experience with these I have a couple of questions.

1. What kind of (total) price am I looking at for a stage 3 or 4? I have looked at their pricing, but it doesn't really reflect with others have been telling me it will cost in the end.

2. I don't know of any really good transmission shops in my area, but the Cummins tech at the dealership said he would put in in after hours for around $300-$400. Is it something that he should be able to do or do you really need a specialist?

Sorry for the lame questions, but I would rather hear it from the horses mouth first rather than an ATS employee . Thanks, Ryan

 

ATS quoted me a price of $5550, installed at there facility in Denver. Thats for a stage 4 trans with the tripolock torque connverter. Need about 2 weeks lead time for appointment. If you exchange they'll have you out in a day. If you want yours rebuilt you gotta wait till they get the rebuild done. All there trans are run on a dyno before going in your truck. So they know it works right before instalation expence.
I think if I were to do It I'd go right out there. Any problem they'll fix right on the spot. If you have it shiped to your place, and your local man puts it in and theres a problem ,I can just hear it now ( Well you ordered it , or thats what you wanted)
You also will get some kind of a commander box that goes inside cab. This allows you to controle the toque converter lockup manually if you choose . You will also have torque conn. lockup in all 4 gears for downhill brakeing. I think I'd want someone to hook all this up that is familiar with it, and can road test it, and give me a class on how to operate it all.

 

Thats about the price I have been getting too. I think I could do about 4k, but 5500 seems a little much to spend on something that is not totally needed considering I still have a ton of warranty on the 48re. Also, Having ATS do the install is out of the question. I think thats in the 1500 to 2000 mile range from here so I would have to go local. There is a guy in Indiana that many say does really good work, but thats still about a 5 hr drive. I guess it may be too much time, money , and trouble for what I would get in the end.

 

The ATS tranny will be the sweetest set up you have ever had. Worth every penny. It does take a while to figure out how to drive it...but once you figure it out...wow. You have complete control over the tranny.

For my set up...4.10's and 37's, I use drive with the overdrive off till 50 mph or greater with the converter set to lock up at 35 mph. It is the perfect intown/rural set up...push the button to engage overdrive above 50. Depending on how slow you lock the converter...you almost can make the auto run like a manual. For a race...you would lock it up real slow and manually run through the gears for the firmest and quickest shifts you could imagine from this tranny.

 

I dont have an ATS tranny but have been to their shop several times. It is state of the art and looks to be a first class operation. I would call ATS. More than likely they have an authorized/approved installer in your area that is very familiar with their products. I would then call or even better head over to the local installer and ask questions and check them out.

 

Coolslide,
Whats the mater with the your 2004.5 48re?? You have downhill brakeing in 4th,3rd and 2nd. and 4th gear lockout . Vary good funtioning trans. with 70,000 7 year warantee. I wouldnt recomend takeing it out unless you got a problem.

 

How does $3,833 sound for a full Level 5....installed. Run through your options..….

Option 1 - Purchasing Ready To Go Transmission
Level 5 Trans w/o converter (includes valve body): $3,172
Converter: $1,388
Commander: $424
Total for Parts: $4,984
Install: $516 ?
Total Project: $5,500
If you have it shipped to you, factor in shipping costs. Your talking 200 pounds and it has to be crated, so no UPS or FedEx here. Could be as much as $300. Also, most reputable businesses will run you closer to $750 for that kind of install (paying full shop labor, no shade tree discounts). Factor in shipping and full labor, total project will be closer to $5,995 if you don't have it done at ATS. This doesn't include wiring in the Commander. Your still on your own for that.

Option 2 - Buy Parts Only From ATS and Rebuild Locally
Converter: $1,388
Valve Body: $495
Commander: $424
Update Kit (Level 5 internals, clutch packs, etc.): $495
Billet Input w/Hub: $895
High Capacity Trans Pan: $229
Total for Parts: $3,926 (notice this is a full $1000 cheaper than just parts above….for the same parts)
Install: $1,100 (this install will be more since they actually have to crack the case to install the update kit and shaft)
Total for Project: $5,026
Expect shipping to be around $85 verses $200 to $300 for an entire transmission. Also, the commander controls lockup and is not something that is needed to make their trans work. You can easily do without it if your happy with the way the stock electronics controls your transmission lockup. You can always order one and put it in later. Also, the Mag-Hytec trans pans are expensive……go with a PML pan (same capacity) for almost half the cost. So without the commander, PML pan instead of a Mag-Hytec, you can go with parts only and have a level 5 trans for $4,422 installed, a savings of $1,573 over Option 1.

Also, we have a trans tech up here that does some work on the side. He will drop the trans and do a full upgrade for $500 if you supply all parts (he is a little slow though when doing side work). If you can find someone like that, your total including install for a Level 5 just dropped to $3,833…..not bad. It is definitely worth it to buy parts only and locate a trans tech that would be willing to so a little side business. Most will if you just have the nads to approach them about it (preferably when the boss isn't looking). $500 is more than that trans tech will make doing the same job at the dealership....the dealership makes more on each job than him.

Decisions...Decisions. Enjoy!

 

Well nothing is really wrong with the 48re. I just hate the feel of it, my TC feels like it came out of a neon. I guess I could just get the TC from ATS???? That might really be all I need, but I do have a TST also. I don't ever turn it up, but it would be nice to know that it's not going to wreck anything in the tranny if I do. I like AK rams idea, thats the route I have been looking into.

 

I'd have to say to just get the torque convertor and valve body and have the dodge guy install it, thats my plan in a couple of weeks.

 

Had mine in for 60,000 miles and have stopped in to ats a couple of times for minor servicing when travling thru their area. Great folks to work with. had an adjustment made locally once and Clint at ATS talked them thru it over the phone on his dime.
I work my truck hard and the tranny is a non issue with me since i did the ats.

 

Have had the stage 4 in my 99 for 'bout 3 months, took some time learning the commander.So far so good, had my local shop do it, they've been doing tranny service for me since my 93 was new. When I asked them about ATS or DTT they said they've done several ATS jobs and will stick with 'em.I knew I'd pay top dollar at this shop so I was ready for the hit.DTT has a solid rep. so you couldn't go wrong with either. Call'em they have shops that they recomend all over...Mike

 

I have an ATS level 5 w/triple lock converter and the commander in my 04 and i love it like everyone has said it takes a while to get use to it. they have VERY GOOD customer service, which is a plus. and they will recommend a local place to install the tranny. they want the tranny serviced every 15k miles. i go through the KY often i would be willing to take for a ride so you can feel the difference in trannies. if you like. i'm leaving for south carolina tonight will be going through lexington on my way back to indiana. let me know and i will give my cell #. i would be happy to show you the "OLD" work truck

 

What is this getting used to that everyone refers to? How different do they shift? I just want a trans that will hold upgraded power and shift like an auto is supposed to, not at weird times like the 48re